The FIA has said that Formula 1‘s revamped power unit regulations won’t “twist somebody’s arm” to remain as an engine manufacturer amid Renault’s impending exit.
Last week, Alpine announced the anticipated news that it will return to a customer entrant in 2026 as it will purchase both power units and gearboxes from Mercedes.
The Anglo-French marque’s switch was all but assured once Renault revealed in September that it was to cease work on the engine it was building for F1’s rules reset.
READ MORE – Alpine agrees Mercedes F1 power unit customer deal from 2026
Renault had been among six manufacturers that signed up to the updated regulations, which will contain a near 50/50 split between combustion and electrical power.
However, Renault’s choice to axe the engine division in Viry-Chatillon means Audi, Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains will be the suppliers come 2026.
FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombasiz has stressed that the sport’s governing body didn’t look to put pressure on Renault to adhere to its previous commitment.
“We discussed when we defined the registration process that the registration was intended to cover the FIA costs of policing the PU manufacturers in creating these regulations,” he said.
“But they are not intended to twist somebody’s arm to continue to work in the sport.
“It is 120, 130, 140 million and taken over five years, it is approaching a billion, and I don’t think the FIA would ever constrain an OEM to having a $1 billion investment because they’ve registered and paid a small registration fee.
“It was always possible for anybody to pull out, and we want people to stay because they want to, not because we are forceful.”
Renault’s struggles made F1 axe inevitable
Renault has supplied the Enstone-based squad with engines since it returned to the sport in 2015, but it has been unable to compete with rival entities across this era.
Alpine has been exposed to a power deficit since the FIA introduced an engine freeze in 2022, contributing to the team’s gradual downturn during this regulation spell.
Having been as high as fourth place in the debut season with the latest ground effect cars, Alpine dropped as low as ninth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2024.
Alpine, though, capitalised on a challenging race in the wet in Brazil last time out to claim an unexpected double podium which has elevated the side up to sixth place.
However, Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore cautioned that it must compensate for a three-tenth power shortage on the chassis to be more competitive in 2025.
READ MORE – Flavio Briatore reveals engine deficit Alpine must overcome with 2025 F1 car
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